So how do you think these hills would be categorized? The route is about 65 miles long, around 4,600 total feet of climbing, and is on fairly good pavement:
Any of those Category 1? 2? I honestly don’t know how this would stack up. They’re short but steep.
Thanks!
They probably wouldn’t be rated at all.
I can’t believe that, considering what they call a Cat 5 climb in the Tour. Plus, you know, my ego can’t really take an answer like that right now.
There is no definitive measure, but here is an interesting link. I’m no expert, but I’m guessing you might have a few Cat 4 climbs in that route.
Go here.
http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/Route/map/stage3map.html
Look at the Patterson Pass climb - 1600’ of climbing in around 12 miles and it was a 4.
Then look at Sierra Road. 1800’ in 3.6 miles. That was a 1.
Compare that to Mont Ventoux. That’s 5200’ in 13 miles. That’s an HC climb.
There’s a local climb here, maybe 1000’ over 6 or so miles with a KOM sign at the top that some locals planted - it was not even categorized by the ToC.
The climb I train on takes me from 5500’ to 8500’ in about 12 mi. I think it’s a cat 2 at most. Some parts are quite steep though but most of it is an easy spin.
They’re short but steep.
Which is precisely why they would not be categorised. You’ve got climbs on the order of 4-600’ in a couple of miles. Because they are short and steep, they don’t merit a climb category. If they were longer at the same grade, they’d just scrape in. If they were taller at the same distance, they’d get a classification. But short and steep is “BC” : beneath classification 
There’s a local climb here, maybe 1000’ over 6 or so miles with a KOM sign at the top that some locals planted - it was not even categorized by the ToC.<<
Rode it last weekend!
And yes, after riding in the Alpes, that one wouldn’t be on the list.
Wonder what Mines would be? A 4?
clm
Mines could be a 4, maybe a 3 because the climb is 7 miles long, but probably a 4 because there are some recovery sections.
Now last weekend at the Death Ride, three of the four passes I ended up doing would have been HC, and the back side of Ebbet’s would have probably been a 1.
FWIW, the climb in today’s TT was just about 500 feet and a Cat 4. Perhaps they are more generous with the ratings when the climbs are in a TT?
Any of those Category 1? 2? I honestly don’t know how this would stack up. They’re short but steep.
Thanks!
probably not.
here is my annual ride. takes about 7:30 honking it…
it is about HC, HC 1 and 2
g